Ice cream cup and cover

ABSTRACT

A cup and cover combination is provided that includes: a cup having an open end at a top of the cup with a fastening structure at the open end, the open end having a first diameter and a bottom end opposite the top end having a second diameter; and a cover having an open end and a closed end, the open end having a third diameter and the closed end having a third diameter, the cover further comprising a circumferential structure for removably fastening the cover to the fastening structure of the cup, and an annular rim extending outward from the circumferential structure for catching content falling out from the cup when the cup and cover are fit together in a manner that exposes contents of the cup.

The present application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/660,272, filed Jun. 15, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates to serving containers and more particularly cups and corresponding covers.

A number of cup and cover combinations exist for takeout items, such as ice cream, etc. These combinations, however, do not provide any means to store the cover after the cover has been removed. Accordingly, there is a need for a cover for a cup that fits below the cup when removed and that also provides a means for catching items stacked above the rim of the cup, such as drips, sprinkles, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cup and cover combination is provided that includes: a cup having an open end at a top of the cup with a fastening structure at the open end, the open end having a first diameter and a bottom end opposite the top end having a second diameter; and a cover having an open end and a closed end, the open end having a third diameter and the closed end having a third diameter, the cover further comprising a circumferential structure for removably fastening the cover to the fastening structure of the cup, and an annular rim extending outward from the circumferential structure for catching content falling out from the cup when the cup and cover are fit together in a manner that exposes contents of the cup.

In one embodiment, the cup is tapered such that the diameter at the open end is greater than the diameter at the bottom end of the cup.

In one embodiment, cover is tapered such that the diameter at the open end is greater than the diameter at the closed end of the cover.

In one embodiment, the taper of cup and the taper of the cover are essentially equal.

In one embodiment, the diameters of the cup and of the cover are such that only a portion of the cup fits within the cover.

In one embodiment, ¼ to ⅔ of the cup is exposed over the cover when fit together.

In one embodiment, a space is created between the cup and cover when fit together.

In one embodiment, the annular rim extends a distance orthogonally outward from the open end and upward in a direction opposite the opening in the cover.

In one embodiment, annular rim extends at least ¼ inches and up to 2 inches orthogonally outward from the opening in the cover.

In one embodiment, the diameter of the top of the cup is less than the diameter at the open end of cover plus the orthogonal distance that the annular rim extends outward from the open end of the cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows various views of the cover and cup combination, according to at least one embodiment, and steps for the use thereof.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the cover and cup combination, according to at least one embodiment.

DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, in at least one embodiment, a cup and cover for the cup combination is provided that includes a dome to accommodate items stacked over the rim of the cup, such as overfill of ice cream, and that will be sized accordingly for the cup to fit at least partially within the dome of the cover. The cover further includes an annular rim for catching the melting ice cream, toppings, etc. The rim may extend outward essentially orthogonally from the dome of the cover, around the entire perimeter of the dome. Extending outward from the rim is circumferential structure for removably fastening the cover to the rim of the cup.

The cover is generally used, as shown in FIG. 1, by filling the cup with an item, such as ice cream, and fastening the cover with the dome side up over the cup, as shown in steps 1-2. As can be seen, the cover and the cup each have a closed end and an open end. To access the contents of the cup, the user unfastens the cover and places the cover upside down under the cup, as shown in step 3. As can be seen in step 4, the rim and circumferential structure provide a structure and volume to catch items falling and melting from the cup.

Referring to FIG. 2, the cup and cover combination include a cup, for example, a wax paper or Styrofoam cup, having an open end at the top with a fastening structure at the open end. The cup has dimensions, including a height and diameters at the top and bottom end. The cup is preferably tapered such that the diameter at the open end is greater than the diameter at the bottom end of the cup. The cover similarly has an open end and a closed end. At the open end a circumferential structure for removably fastening the cover to the open end of the cup. Extending outward from the circumferential structure is an annular rim for catching, e.g., drippings and the like. The cover has dimensions, including a height, and diameters at the open and closed ends of the cover. The annular rim further extends a distance orthogonally outward from the open end, and preferably upward in a direction opposite the opening in the cover. The distance outward from the open end is preferably sufficient to catch, e.g., drippings and the like. Preferably, the extension is at least ¼ inches and up to 2 inches. The diameters of the cup and cover are preferably such that only a portion of the cup fits within the cover, for example, ¼ to ⅔ of the cup will be exposed over the cover, and/or a space is created between the cup and cover when fit together. Moreover, the ratio of the diameters of the cup an cover are such that the taper in each is essentially equal. Finally, the diameter of the top of the cup is preferably less than the diameter at the open end of cover plus the orthogonal distance that the annular rim extends outward from the open end of the cover.

While the foregoing has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, from a reading of the disclosure, that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cup and cover combination, comprising: a cup having an open end at a top of the cup with a fastening structure at the open end, the open end having a first diameter and a bottom end opposite the top end having a second diameter; and a cover having an open end and a closed end, the open end having a third diameter and the closed end having a third diameter, the cover further comprising a circumferential structure for removably fastening the cover to the fastening structure of the cup, and an annular rim extending outward from the circumferential structure for catching content falling out from the cup when the cup and cover are fit together in a manner that exposes contents of the cup.
 2. The cup and cover combination of claim 1, wherein cup is tapered such that the diameter at the open end is greater than the diameter at the bottom end of the cup.
 3. The cup and cover of claim 2, wherein cover is tapered such that the diameter at the open end is greater than the diameter at the closed end of the cover.
 4. The cup and cover of claim 3, wherein the taper of cup and the taper of the cover are essentially equal.
 5. The cup and cover of claim 4, wherein the diameters of the cup and of the cover are such that only a portion of the cup fits within the cover.
 6. The cup of claim 5, wherein ¼ to ⅔ of the cup is exposed over the cover when fit together.
 7. The cup and cover of claim 4, wherein a space is created between the cup and cover when fit together.
 8. The cup and cover of claim 1, wherein the annular rim extends a distance orthogonally outward from the open end and upward in a direction opposite the opening in the cover.
 9. The cup and cover of claim 8, wherein annular rim extends at least ¼ inches and up to 2 inches orthogonally outward from the opening in the cover.
 10. The cup and cover of claim 9, wherein the diameter of the top of the cup is less than the diameter at the open end of cover plus the orthogonal distance that the annular rim extends outward from the open end of the cover. 